Cancer News and Research

Latest Cancer News and Research

OncoGenex initiates OGX-427 Phase 2 trial for metastatic prostate cancer

OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today the initiation of a randomized, controlled, investigator sponsored Phase 2 trial of OGX-427 in men with metastatic prostate cancer.

27 Sep 2010

Hospira's Nivestim receives Australian TGA approval

Hospira, Inc., the world leader in generic injectable pharmaceuticals, today announced that it has received Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration approval for its biosimilar filgrastim product, Nivestim.

27 Sep 2010

Disparities in cardiac care begin when patients arrive at hospital emergency rooms: Study

The well-documented disparities in cardiac care may begin almost as soon as patients arrive at hospital emergency rooms. In a study published in Academic Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital researchers report that African-American and Hispanic patients assessed for chest pain were less likely than white patients to be categorized as requiring immediate care, despite a lack of significant differences in symptoms.

27 Sep 2010

Researchers find no correlation between genetic ancestry and cancer stage

Head and neck cancer outcomes associated with race may be more closely linked to social and behavioral factors than biological differences, especially for African Americans, according to a new Henry Ford Hospital study.

27 Sep 2010

Signaling pathway inhibition enhances autologous bone marrow transplant: Research

Identification of a molecular communications pathway that influences the mobilization of hematopoietic (blood) stem cells could lead to targeted therapies for improving bone marrow transplant success rates.

27 Sep 2010

Researchers synthesize molecule to block abnormal protein in cancer cells

In the quest to arrest the growth and spread of tumors, there have been many attempts to get cancer genes to ignore their internal instruction manual. In a new study, a team led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists has created the first molecule able to prevent cancer genes from "hearing" those instructions, stifling the cancer process at its root.

27 Sep 2010

Alzheimer's treatments may prove effective if started in middle-aged people: Study

Memory lapses that occur with normal aging are a source of worry for many who fear Alzheimer's disease. Now a new Mayo Clinic-led study published in the July 16 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that the carriers of a common genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease begin to have memory declines in their mid-50s, far earlier than previously thought.

27 Sep 2010

Active commuting helps to stay fit

Men and women who walk or ride a bike to work appear more fit, and men are less likely to be overweight or obese and have healthier triglyceride levels, blood pressure and insulin levels, according to a report in the July 13 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

27 Sep 2010

Hologic receives FDA voting for 3-D digital mammography system

Hologic, Inc., a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics products, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, announced that the Radiological Devices Panel (Panel) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today unanimously voted that Hologic's Pre-Market Approval (PMA) demonstrated both the effectiveness and safety of the Company's Selenia Dimensions three-dimensional (3-D) digital mammography tomosynthesis system, "Selenia Dimensions 3-D."

From Hologic, Inc. 27 Sep 2010

Study finds postmenopausal hormone therapy increases ovarian cancer risk

Compared with women who have never taken hormone therapy, those who currently take it or who have taken it in the past are at increased risk of ovarian cancer, regardless of the duration of use, the formulation, estrogen dose, regimen or route of administration, according to a study in the July 15 issue of JAMA.

27 Sep 2010

Endothelial progenitor cells predict metastatic disease in children with cancer: Study

Endothelial progenitor cells may play a role in the start and progression of metastatic disease in children with cancer, according to study results published in Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

27 Sep 2010

Study concludes mammography not effective to reduce breast cancer mortality

A new study over the usefulness of mammography confirms what most people in the breast cancer community already know. Mammograms are one tool in the breast cancer cache: better early detection, widespread awareness and more effective treatments all play a role in reducing deaths from the disease, according to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

27 Sep 2010

Gene alteration impacts brain tumor development: Study

The interaction between a network of altered genes appears to play an important role in the development and progression of brain tumors, according to a study in the July 15 issue of JAMA.

27 Sep 2010

TU Delft's nuclear research to be used for producing medical isotopes

TU Delft's nuclear research reactor will be used as a back-up facility for the production of the radioactive isotope molybdenum-99, when supplies run out. Molybdenum-99 is widely used in hospitals in order to locate cancer.

27 Sep 2010

Vertex exercises option to purchase additional $25 million notes

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated today announced that the underwriter for its offering of 3.35% convertible senior subordinated notes due 2015 has exercised in full its option to purchase an additional $25 million aggregate principal amount of notes. The exercise of the option brings the total aggregate principal amount of notes sold in the offering to $400 million

27 Sep 2010

Victorian health report card

Results from the 2008 Victorian Population Health Survey of more than 34,000 people are out. Broadly the picture is not too pleasing with signs of poor health like weight gain and disease. People are eating less fruit and vegetables, but smoking is down and asthma is less prevalent than it was earlier in the decade.

26 Sep 2010

The House approves six health-related measures, including legislation related to the disposal of unused prescription drugs

The Hill's Healthwatch Blog: "The House passed six health-related bills Wednesday evening, including efforts to combat Medicare fraud and dispose of unused prescription drugs." The measures were approved under suspension of the rules, "an expedited procedure that only allows for 40 minutes of debate followed by a voice vote."

24 Sep 2010

Genta commences new tesetaxel Phase 2 clinical trial in advanced bladder cancer

Genta Incorporated today announced that the Company has initiated a new Phase 2 clinical trial of tesetaxel in patients with advanced bladder cancer. Tesetaxel is the leading oral taxane in clinical development. The new trial will be conducted at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, and at least one site in the EU.

24 Sep 2010

Researchers create device to find ways to improve commonly used treatment for 'water on the brain'

Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) scientists participated in a study with researchers from the University of Utah that could help find ways to improve shunt systems used to treat the neurological disorder hydrocephalus, or "water on the brain," the leading cause of brain surgery for children in the United States. Researchers studied the shunt systems under a variety of conditions by creating a bioreactor that mimics the environment inside patients.

24 Sep 2010

Research Roundup: Medical homes; Drug samples and prescribing; The health law and disparities; Women's health; CBO projections

Institute of Medicine: Women's Health Research: Progress, Pitfalls, and Promise -"Substantial progress has been made since the expansion of investment in women's health research. Research findings have changed the practice of medicine and public-health recommendations in several prominent contexts, including changes in standards of care for women. There have also been decreases in mortality in women from breast cancer, heart disease, and cervical cancer. In other contexts, however, there has been less progress..."

24 Sep 2010